TEACHING ENGLISH VOCABULARY BY USING GUESSING GAME TO THE FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS 117 PALEMBANG
Sri Yuliani
Universitas Muhamnadiyah Palembang Sriyulianihamzah@yahoo.co.id
Abstract
The aim of this study was to find out whether it was effective or not to teach English vocabulary by using guessing game to the fifth grade students of Elementary school 117 Palembang. The population of this study was all the students of elementary school 117 Palembang in the academic year of 2016/2017 with the total number of students was 205. Meanwhile, the sample of the study was taken convenience sampling method. There were 40 students who were classified as the control group and 40 students who were classified as experimental group. The method of the study was quasi experimental method. In collecting the data, the researcher gave a test. In analyzing the data, the researcher used student’s individual score, conversion score range, and t-test. Based on findings, independent sample t-test indicated that value of t-obtained was 5.046 at significant level p>0.005 for two-tailed test t-table is 1.9908. Iit was concluded that Ho was rejected and Ha was accepted. It is clear that teaching English vocabulary by using guessing game was effective to the fifth grade students of Elementary school 117 Palembang.
Keywords: teaching, English vocabulary, guessing game
©Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris FKIP UM Palembang p–ISSN 2549–9009 e–ISSN 2579–7378
Introduction
English is an International language which is used throughout the world. In Indonesia, English is one of the foreign languages taught in the formal education. It is taught from elementary school to college, even in kindergarten, they have started to study English. As we know, at the Elementary school English as an extra subject and it can be taught in the class once in a week for one hour. Teaching of English to younger learners (elementary school) is very important because it will serve as the main foundation for students to learn to higher level. Singleton in Brumfit (1997) say that there are a number of the reasons for teaching English at primary level, they are (p.6).
1. The need to expose children from an early age so that they grew up tolerant and sympathetic to others.
2. The need to link communication understanding of view concept.
3. The advantages of stating with early second language instruction so that later teacher can use the language as a medium of teaching.
Another reason why English has got to be taught to Elementary school have the capacity for learning and acquiring a new language English easier. The students of Elementary school should be able to read, listen, write, and speak. Therefore, the students must need vocabulary. So, teaching vocabulary in Elementary school is focused on vocabulary because, vocabulary cannot be separated from other elements in teaching and learning process in English language skills. So that, vocabulary influence the students’ ability in studying English.
Vocabulary is a subject at school about the words which studied by the students.
Vocabulary is one of linguistics features which influences the communicate competence. Learning vocabulary is the most important for understanding knowing of things, action, and concepts. Without knowing vocabulary students unable to grasp the idea. Meanwhile, teaching vocabulary is important to make students are able to communicate by using language that learnt. They have to master English vocabulary before mastering English. They will be not able to express themselves clearly if they don’t master vocabulary
before. Mc Catty and O’Dell (2001) state that English has a very large vocabulary, which adds greatly to our opportunities to express the meaning in different style, (p.16). Based on the writer’s observation at elementary school 117 Palembang. She found that most students were not serious in learning English, especially in learning English vocabulary. They felt bored of listening to their teacher’s explanation. In addition, they also did not know and understand the meaning of the words. As the result, the students could not learn English vocabulary well. By seeing condition above, the teacher must be able to choose a good technique in teaching and learning vocabulary that make the students are happy and interested in learning.
According to Suyanto (2007) “in selecting the techniques of teaching in classroom, a teacher should always remember that young learners like to learn by doing” (p.11). One of the most interesting technique in teaching and learning vocabulary is guessing game.
According to Hadvield (1984),
“game is an activity with rules goal, and element of fun” (p.4). Next, Game is an activity with rules Games was applied to make the students easy to keep new words in their mind. The students looked happy when they played game. They like to move their bodies, such as playing games and singing songs. Furthermore, game also help the students to improve their motivation in learning English. As the result, they will be more serious to learn. Guessing game is one of some games in teaching technique.
Guessing game is a game in which the object is to guess some kind of information, such as a word, a title, and an object. It is clear that guessing game will improve students’ motivation in learning English and improve their vocabulary.`
Based on the background above, the problem of the study was formulated in the following question: “is it effective to teach English vocabulary by using guessing game to the fifth grade students of elementary school 117 Palembang? Furthermore, the objective of this study was to find out whether it is effective or not to teach English vocabulary by using guessing game
to the fifth grade students of elementary school 117 Palembang.
Literature Review Definition of Teaching
Teaching is the profession of a teacher. According to Slameto (2010),
“teaching is guidance of learning” (p.30).
Next, Brown (2007) states that teaching is guiding and facilitating learning, enabling the students to learn, setting condition for learning (p.8). The statement means that the teachers’ functions are as facilitator, guide, motivator, and manager. First, as a facilitator, a teacher provided the facilities such as circumstances, equipment, aids that make learners were possible to learn easier.
Second, as a guide, a teacher showed or helped the learners to learn how to do and understand something. Third, as a motivator, a teacher stimulates the interest of the learners. Finally, as a manager, a teacher arranges information and environment for students to learn. It is clear that teaching is an activity between teacher and students that the teacher can give knowledge and guide the students in teaching and learning process so that they are related each other.
Theory of Vocabulary
In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Vocabulary is all the words that a person knows or uses. Vocabulary is one of the components in language. We can not do anything without vocabulary especially when we want to tell something to other people. Next, Hiebert (2005) “vocabulary is the knowledge of meanings of words (p.3).
It is clear to According to Hiebert (2005) vocabulary is the knowledge of meanings of words “(p.3). It is clear that Vocabulary is a part of words which have meaning and as one of an important element in learning English. Without vocabulary the people cannot communicative effectively. Hiebert (2005) also suggest that words come in at least two forms: oral and print. Knowledge of words also comes in at least two forms, receptive that which we can understand or recognize and productive the vocabulary we used when writing and reading. Print vocabulary consists of those words for
which the meaning is known when we write and speaking (p.3).
Vocabulary is a part of words which have meaning and as one of an important element in learning English.Without vocabulary the people cannot communicative effectively. Hiebert (2005) also suggest that words come in at least two forms : oral and print. Knowledge of words also comes in at least two forms, receptive that which we can understand or recognize and productive the vocabulary we used when writing and reading. Print vocabulary consists of those words for which the meaning is known when we write and speaking (p.3).
Teaching English Vocabulary
To learn foreign language, especially English, it cannot separated from learning vocabulary. Vocabulary supports all the words to express opinion, ideas, and feeling in communication.
Vocabulary is one of linguistic component that must be involved in learning English because the knowledge of vocabulary plays an important role in mastering the four language skills. In teaching vocabulary, a teacher needs materials, exercises, and strategies. As Bordon cited in Suara (2014,p.37) state as follows:
1.
Material motivating the students .
2. Classes presented in a variety ways.3. Several strategy for unlocking the meaning of words.
4. Ways of showing students how to remember what they have learned.
Game
Paul (2003) states that game plays as a central role in a child-center lesson and make it possible for children to fully immerse themselves in learning (p.49).
Next, Nilwan (2010) defines game as structure in learning. Game is characterizing of what players do (p.5). Furthermore, Wright (2006) states that game is an activity which is entertaining, engaging and activity in which the learners play and usually interact with others (p.1). It is clear that
game can improve students learning motivation. Games are kinds of learning activities which the students’ attention is focused mainly on word sand games encourage learners to recall words and preferbly at speed.
Some Techniques of Giving Games The game makes use of a variety of techniques. Variety of techniques is important in language teaching. Techniques used include Guessing, Matching, Role play, and Simulation.
a.
Guessing Game
Guessing Game are similar variant on principle. The player with the information deliberately with holds it, while other guesses what it may be.
b. Matching game
Matching game is based on different principle but also involve a transfer of information. The games involve matching identical pairs of cards or picture may be played as while class activity, where players must choose pictures or card from selection to match those by their partner from the same selection or as card game.
c. Role play
Role play are many games include an element or role play. The players are given the name and some characteristics plays true sense, as the role play element is always subordinate to the game for the purpose of language use.
d. Simulation
Simulation is the imitation in classroom of total situation where the classroom becomes a street, a hotel, a supermarket while practice interaction as shops, tourist officers.
In this study, the writer used guessing game as a technique of teaching English vocabulary in conducting the research to the fifth grade students of elementary school 117 Palembang.
Guessing Game Teaching Technique According to Wilga Rivers in Thorbury (2002),"vocabulary cannot be taught. It can be presented, explained, included in all kinds of activities, and experienced in all manner of associations but it is learned by the individual (p.144). As
we know, games is an activity with rules, a goal and an element of fun.
Teaching vocabulary through game will make the students be easy to memorize the words and the students will also be fun in studying.
Guessing game is one of some game in teaching technique. In addition, Philip (2003) states that the children read a text that is mostly in their first language but has some English words mixed into it (p,87).
They use the context to guess the meaning of English words. It can be a tool to introduce, review, and reinforce new vocabulary to the students. It can make the students to be more memorizing the words.
It is clear that guessing game is a good technique in teaching vocabulary in the class to make the learners or students fun in studying and make them be easy to improve their English vocabulary.
The Advantages of Teaching Vocabulary by Using guessing Games
The teachers can use guessing games technique because there are many advantages of teaching by using guessing games as described by Morris (1976) They are as follows:
1. The games promote physical growth and development
2. The games promote the socialization process
3. The games are fun for the students like to play them
4. The games make students enjoyable in learning
5. The games develop emotional understanding between one student to another
6. The games provide language practice in various skills, such as: speaking, writing, reading, and listening (p.2).
Teaching and Learning Vocabulary by Using Guessing game
First, the writer gave 20 things in the classroom as the materials to the students. Then, the writer gave some clues related to things in the classroom, for example “ A thing that usually used for writing. Next, the students have to guess
what thing is. After the student guess it correctly, the writer asked the student to write the words at the board. If there is a student write the words incorrectly at the board, so the writer inform the student about the correct words. After that, the writer gave the picture of thing that has been guessed correctly by the student. At last, the student showed the picture to their friends in front of the class.
Research methodology
In this study, the writer used quantitative research. The method used in this study was experimental. The type of experimental group is quasi-experimental.
According to Frankel et, al (2012), quasi experimental designs do not include the use of random assignment. Writer who employ these design rely instead on other techniques to control threats to internal validity (p.275).
This design provide a pretest to both groups, treatment activities with experimental group only, and a posttest assess the difference between two groups.
In this study, the experimental group taught vocabulary through guessing games as a treatment while, the control group taught by using conventional way without guessing games technique. The design as follows:
Pretest Treatment Posttest
O1 X O2
O3 --- O4
Experimental group
Control group
Where:
O1 : The pretest in experimental group O2 : The posttest in experimental group X : Treatment
O3 : The pretest in control group O : The posttest in control group Population and Sample
In this study, Population is all the fifth grade students of elementary school 117 Palembang namely: VA, VB, VC, VD,
VE with the total number of 205 students.
While, the sample of this study was taken two classes, namely: Class VA who were classified as experimental class, and class VB who were classified as control class with total number of 80 students by using convenience sampling. Convenient sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where subject are selected because of their convenient accessibility and proximity to the researcher.
Technique of Data Collection
In collecting the data, The writer gave the test. Data was collected through pretest and posttest. Pretest has been given to the students before giving treatment to see how far the students know about vocabulary, and posttest has been given after treatment to find out students’ vocabulary improvement. The data collected by giving a test. There are 30 items. The type of test was 15 items of multiple choice, and 15 items of matching.
Technique of Analysis Data
In analyzing the data, the writer used:
1. Students’ Individual score
Students’ individual score can be calculated by using the formula:
X= R x 100
T Where :
X= the result of students’ individual score
R= total number of correct answer T= total number of items
2. t-test
Pair sample t-test used to know the difference between the result of students’ pretest and posttest in experimental and control group. Next, independent sample t-test used to know a significant difference between students’ posttest in experimental and control group.
Finding and Discussion
Finding of the result can be grouped into parts: (1). The result of students’ Pretest
in Experimental group, (2). The result of students’ Posttest in experimental group, (3).
The Comparison of students’ Pretest in experimental group, (4). The result of student pretest in control group, (5) The result of posttest in control group, (6). The comparison of students’ pretest and posttest in control group, and (7). The comparison of students’ posttest in experimental and control group.
The result of Students’ Pretest in Experimental Group.
The pretest was given to know how far the students’ vocabulary. In this study was found that the maximum score of the total scores was 82.0, that was reached by two students and the minimum score was 56.5 also reached by two students, the median was 64.500, the sum was 2608.0, and the mean was 65.200.
The Result ofStudents’ Posttest in the Experimental Group
The students’ score in the posttest were better than those in the pretest, the average score was much higher than
those reached in the pretest. The result of the posttest in the experimental group showed that maximum score was 84.0, minimum score was 65.0, the median was 71.250, the sum was 2885.0, and the mean was 72.125.
The Result of Students’Pretest in Control Group
The result of pre-test in the control group showed that maximum score was 80.0, minimum score was 52.5, the median
Paired Samples Test Paired Differences
T df Sig. (2-
tailed) Me
an Std.
Devi ation
Std.
Error Mea
n
95%
Confidence Interval of
the Difference Lowe
r Uppe
r P
air 1
postte st – pretes t
6.9 25 0
4.36 71
.690 5
5.52 83
8.32 17
10.0
29 39 .000
was 58.250, the sum was 2411.5 and the mean was 60.288.
The Result of Students’ Posttest in Control Group
The result of the posttest in the control group showed that the maximum score was 81.0, minimum score was 55.0, the median was 64.000, the sum was 2618.0 and the mean was 65.450.
The Comparison of Pretest and Posttest in Experimental Group
Based on the result of the paired sample t-test showed the value of t-obtained was 10.029 at the significant level p<0.05 for two tailed and degree of freedom was 39,the critical value t-table was 2.0227.
The Comparison of Pretest and Posttest in Control group
The result of the paired sample t-test showed that the value of t-obtained was 9.977. At the significant level p < 0.05 for two tailed and degree of freedom was 39, the critical value t-table was 2.0227.
The Comparison of Posttest in Experimental Group and Control Group
Based on the result of independent sample test showed the value of t-obtained was 5.046, at the significant level p>0.005 for two tailed test and degree of freedom was 78, t-table was 1.9908.
Conclusions
Based on the data analysis above, the mean of students’ posttest in experimental group was 72.125 and the mean of students’ posttest in control group was 65.450. Furthermore, The result of independent sample t-test showed that t- obtained was 5.046 which was higher than t- table 1.9908. Since the value of t-obtained was higher than t-table, so that the null hypothesis was rejected and alternative hypothesis accepted. It can be concluded that there was significant difference between the students who were taught by using guessing games as a technique of teaching and those who were not. It is clear that teaching vocabulary by using guessing game is effective to the fifth grade students of Elementary School 117 Palembang.
Suggestions
These suggestions are dedicated to:
1. To the teachers of English
The teachers of English as suggested to apply and modify the teaching technique, so the students do not feel bored when teaching learning process and they will be fun and motivated to study English.
2.
To the studentsThe students suggested to learn seriously and actively.
3.
To other researchersOther researchers suggested to make further research especially concerning on teaching vocabulary that is usefull to solve the problems’ teaching and learning.
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